From left, Dade Sheriff Ray Cross, Sgt. Chad Payne, Lt. Nathan Baker and Deputy Misty Coburn show off the new opioid overdose kit the department acquired with a grant.
In July, the Dade County Sheriff's Office received a grant to outfit its deputies with an "opioid overdose kit." The kit contains personal protective equipment, instructions for use and a Narcan™ (naloxone) nasal spray container. Deputies received training on how and when to administer the medication to patients suffering from an opioid overdose.
Narcan, a trade name for the medication naloxone, is described as an opioid antidote. Opioids can include heroin and prescription pain pills like morphine, codeine, oxycodone, methadone and vicodin.
During an opioid overdose, breathing can slow down or stop, resulting in respiratory and/or cardiac arrest. Quick administration of naloxone can reverse the side effects of opioid overdose and dramatically improve the chance of survival.
The average citizen may not realise that an opioid overdose can be totally accidental, especially in situations involving children or the elderly. A lot of times, deputies can be called to an emergency medical situation involving such an overdose and may be the first unit on the scene.
Sheriff Cross is proud to bring the community this additional tool to better serve the citizens of Dade County.
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